CHEWING OF XYLITOL GUM - A WELL ADOPTED PRACTICE AMONG FINNISH ADOLESCENTS

The adoption of xylitol chewing gum in Finland was studied using data from two comparable postal surveys for national samples of 12- to 18-y ear-olds in 1977 (response rate 79%, n = 2,528) and 1991 (77%, n = 7,6 72). In 1977 only 12% of this age group used xylitol chewing gum but, by 1991 it had become common (64% of boys, 81% of girls). Daily use in creased from 1 to 15% among from 1 to 32% among girls. Use of sucrose chewing gum decreased; in 1991 only 2% used it daily. Daily use of xyl itol chewing gum did not vary according to socioeconomic status or lev el of urbanization. The increase in use of xylitol chewing gum is an e xample of the positive effect of health education given by a comprehen sive, preventively oriented system of dental health care in associatio n with commercial interests.